We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Ellen Jefferson Kearney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dr. Ellen, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Overcoming imposter syndrome is I struggle with from time to time in my career. In order to overcome imposter syndrome I had to learn not only how to recognize it but how to overcome it.
A few things that help me include changing my thoughts, celebrating my wins – big and small, being kind to myself and visualizing my success.
Changing my thoughts include changing my perspective and how I viewed myself and my worth. I continue to remind myself that mistakes and setbacks happen to everyone. Growth takes time and my mistakes do not define who I am.
Celebrating my wins – big and small! I often find myself focusing on the big goals that I was overlooking my small wins, which are just as important by the way! Small wins help us get to the big wins. Remember small victories build momentum.
Be kind to myself. The desire to achieve perfection too often caused me to be hard on myself when I made mistakes. I had to learn to embrace mistakes which sounds so foreign. But mistakes are learning opportunities so I learned to give myself grace, own my mistake, apologize if necessary, learn and move on.
Visualize my success. What does success look like to you? We ae often our own worst enemy. We get into our own heads with negative thoughts and lose focus. When I set a goal I think about the possibilities and how I will feel when I achieve my goal. It helps me to shift my focus from fear to success!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I often use the phrase I am a jack of all trades and master of none. I think I thrive on being busy. My kids tell me I don’t know how to sit down. But there is always something to do or that needs to be done. My main focus is my family. But, allow me to highlight three of my work related passions and how they tie together.
As an HR professional, professor, and travel advisor, my love of all three stems from my desire to help people grow, thrive, and explore new possibilities in both their careers and personal lives.
As an HR professional, I focus on helping employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their potential. It’s fulfilling to mentor and guide individuals and organizations toward healthier work cultures. What excites me the most is being a part of positive change in the workplace—whether it’s through leadership, building better policies, or simply advancing an environment where employees feel heard.
As a professor, I love teaching and mentoring students, especially in the areas of HR and Total Rewards. The classroom is a place for growth, and I get to play a part in the transformation of students as they develop their skills. It’s such a great feeling when you can help students get to the point where everything clicks. It’s a reminder of why I’m passionate about helping others succeed.
Finally, I love to travel and as a travel advisor I have the unique opportunity to help people explore the world, create meaningful travel experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Travel has always been a personal passion of mine, and being able to share this passion with others is exciting. Whether it’s guiding someone through planning their dream vacation or providing travel tips and ideas, I enjoy talking about travel and making the process easier.
Right now, I’m especially excited about the opportunity to expand my travel business. I’m currently working on ways to bring travel to people that don’t think it’s possible. I want to share with people that planning and saving will allow them to travel and see the world. It’s something I’ve been deeply passionate about. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with a local women’s group about saving and travel. I am also a sponsor of a local Sr. Network and I work with seniors that want to travel but are afraid to or not sure where to start. I’m always looking for ways to connect with people and help them create ther own Dream Travel!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back on my journey, there are three key qualities that have been especially impactful, adaptability, continuous learning, and perseverance. For anyone starting their journey or in the middle of their journey – keep going no matter how many times you have to stop and start over. Sometimes you have to change course due to unforeseen circumstances. I started my Doctoral journey twice before I finally decided to continue and not stop. I was so close to completing, I had two weeks to take my cumulative exam and my Mom passed away. I had to ask for some time off, they gave me one week! But I came back and passed. Being able to be flexible and embrace change will allow you to be resilient even when things are difficult.
I am a lifelong learning. I maintain multiple certifications and licenses in my field. I am always looking for ways to better myself and to remain relevant! Continuous learning also helps me stay engaged and motivated. As an HR professional, professor and travel advisor it is important to stay informed about changes in laws and regulations as well as travel trends and the best place to visit!
Growth happens when you constantly challenge yourself to expand your skills and knowledge, no matter what obstacles you are faced with. Things won’t always go as you planned. Sometimes you have to shift dears or take a step back and regroup. The key to success is to pushing past the challenges and NEVER GIVING UP! Stay committed to your goals but remain flexible and open to the changes and challenges that come your way. God has a sense of humor and your plan is not always his plan but it is ultimately a great plan! You just have to have perseverance to see it through
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
The person who has been most impactful in helping me become the person I am today was my mom.
I watched her raise two children as a single mom, working three jobs to make sure we never wanted for anything. She worked tirelessly, day and night, to provide the best for us. I know that’s where I get my drive for hard work and my desire for success. She was always my biggest supporter and cheerleader, encouraging us to attend college and build careers that would support us in the future.
What was truly invaluable was the example she set—showing me how to balance hard work with compassion – she worked in the public school system for over 33 years, she really enjoyed working with parents and children. She had a servant’s heart. She taught me that success isn’t just about what you achieve, but also about how you treat others along the way. I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance, and the lessons she imparted continue to shape the way I approach both my personal and professional journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ellenkearney.inteletravel.com/booktravel.cfm
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamtravelunlimited1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551783766984
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejkearney/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
